Maureen has owned Not Just Nets for over thirty years
The 12 – our free newsletter with all the news you need
We have more newsletters
The 12 – our free newsletter with all the news you need
We have more newsletters
A staple in homes across the UK in the 80s and 90s, the humble net curtain has perhaps fallen out of favour, with blinds being the modern choice for privacy. But a shop in West London is proving that the classic window fixture is still going strong, with its owner working six days a week to keep up with demand.
Maureen Brum is the owner of Not Just Nets in Feltham and far from it just being her product that's an important part of the town, she's seen by many as being part of the fabric of the area herself. The 77-year-old has been in the business for over 30 years, having started out selling different products at local markets in the 80s.
One day somebody offered her a box of nets, she took them and they were all gone that same day. From then on she has remained in the business, honing her craft to produce curtains that one woman on Facebook even claims had two ladies knocking on her door asking where she'd bought them.
READ MORE: Martin Lewis sends 'important' message that could save you £50 a year on energy bills
Maureen said: "I was like 'I'm going to do this', and I did. There wasn't anywhere in this area where you could buy nets and now there is. I love it. I care about my customers and I want to do what they want me to do."
When Maureen's daughter posted on Facebook recently to shout about her mum's dedication to work, while still grieiving the loss of her son, Jay, she got a flood of messages back about her mum, with people describing her as kind, caring and a much-loved member of the community.
Maureen's daughter Lisa said: "She's always been one of those people, and she instilled it in me as well, that if you want anything in life you have to work for it. Nothing is given, you have to work and then it will come to you. She really doesn't stop."
In 2021 Maureen suddenly lost her son Jay aged 37. He got necrotising fasciitis which was misdiagnosed and turned into sepsis; he died a couple of days after going into hospital.
She found it really hard and closed her shop for a while after his death. But after a few weeks she decided to reopen to give her something to focus on. Lisa explained: "She told me, 'I've got to go back to work because I need something to keep my mind occupied' so she went back.
"She likes to be busy. It is so nice because when she is having a really bad day and thinking about Jay somebody will come into the shop and chat to her and that gives her a little bit of hope."
You can sign up to get the latest news, top stories and exclusives sent straight to your WhatsApp from the MyLondon team.
To get stories sent to you, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the MyLondon team.
We also treat our subscribers to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
Maureen originally had a shop on Bedfont Lane for about 15 years before moving to her current premises on Staines Road. Her variety of net curtains that she makes to measure have one woman taking them back to Spain with her. The former Feltham resident who now lives abroad always returns to the store when she is in the country so she can stock up on new nets, according to Maureen.
Residents of Bedfont have labelled Maureen an "icon". They praise her "old school customer service" and say that she is "bloody incredible".
Maureen said: "I'm so grateful to my customers who keep coming back to me. I really am, otherwise I wouldn't still be doing what I'm doing. It helps me keep my brain working. I work six days a week, because what else would I do. I don't want to be laying in bed until midday. It gives me a reason to get out of bed."
Don't miss out on the biggest local stories. Sign up to our MyWestLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.
